Overview
- Two brothers, Leo (12) and José (10), were swept away while playing in the Río Gallegos at a sector called La Toma after an emergency call around 4 p.m.; the boys were last seen on Sunday, October 25.
- A large multi-agency operation has been searching since the incident, with Bomberos, Policía de Santa Cruz, Prefectura Naval, Gendarmería, DDI, DOR and other provincial teams taking part.
- During a government helicopter overflight on Thursday, October 29, authorities reported sighting one of the boys’ bodies and moved to carry out recovery procedures while search teams press on for the second child.
- Cold water, strong currents and poor underwater visibility have hindered dives, prompting use of drones, extended shore patrols and the addition of about 15 divers to expand coverage toward Güer Aike.
- Family members are receiving medical and psychological care, Club Talleres has organized fundraising to help the economically vulnerable family, and officials say investigative and procedural steps will follow once recovery operations allow.